Times Square Driver Was On Drugs, Said He 'Wanted To Kill Them': Prosecutors

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — The man who plowed his car into a Times Square sidewalk full of pedestrians, killing one and injuring 22 more, told police officers that he was on drugs and that he meant to kill people, prosecutors said Friday.

Richard Rojas, a 26-year-old Bronx resident, ran at an NYPD traffic officer and shouted, "I wanted to kill them," immediately after crashing his car after plowing through a crowd of people in Times Square, according to a criminal complaint from the Manhattan District Attorney's office. After Rojas was arrested he told a police officer, "I smoked marijuana. I laced the marijuana with PCP," according to the complaint.

Rojas was apprehended after his deadly drive through Times Square, authorities said, with the help of civilians and NYPD officers who chased him down when he tried to flee the area. Prosecutors have charged Rojas with murder, 20 counts of attempted murder and one counts of aggravated vehicular homicide.

Michigan tourist Alyssa Elsman, who was visiting the city with her family, was killed on Thursday, authorities said. Her 13-year-old little sister was among those injured. Elsman, 18, was from Portage, Michigan.

Rojas is suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs when he sped through Times Square just before noon on Thursday, according to police sources. Rojas mounted the sidewalk on Seventh Avenue near 42nd Street and sped along the sidewalk until crashing at 45th Street, according to a statement from police. NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill said Thursday that the incident is not believed to be terrorism related.

Rojas has two previous arrests for driving under the influence charges, according to police.

Streets in Times Square reopened early Friday morning after the heart of the area was closed off while police investigated the sprawling crime scene.

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